Improvements to Come at Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor

Jackson County has plans to further improve Ocean Springs’ small craft harbor. The harbor has come a long way since Hurricane Katrina leveled the area.

Troy Ross, Jackson County Supervisor, District 4, says, “Well, over the past three years, we’ve seen some dramatic changes here at the harbor. We’ve got the new bulkheading project and the new finger piers. That’s about a $4.5 million project. We also elevated all of the wiring and electrical infrastructure.”

Just a month ago, dignitaries broke ground on another project to make way for the green space at the harbor, in hopes of luring more people and events to the site. Connie Moran, Mayor of Ocean Springs, says, “We envision that as a great public green space, have fishing rodeos, other events or bands during Smokin’ the Sound. Nothing too heavy impact, but once in a while, some nice events there, again to bring people to our beautiful waterfront.”

In less than two weeks, the city will take bids on yet another project that will realign the harbor’s main road, separating through traffic from boat launches, paving the way for safer driving and fewer traffic jams. Ross also says, “Everybody’s not a professional at backing boats into the water. Some people take more time than others, so this will allow them that time.”

One stretch of road onsite will be converted into a sidewalk as well. Ross also says, "So you’ll actually have a walkable sidewalk that starts here at the harbor master house in Ocean Springs and at the Golden Nugget in Biloxi, so you could theoretically walk from the harbor master house to the Golden Nugget and never leave the sidewalk."

Another part of the project is to have more boat slips for rent. All the work is funded by $700,000 in Tidelands funds and is expected to be finished sometime early next year, just in time for boating season and summer.